These healthy sticky chicken wings are the definition of finger lickin’ good

When you think of chicken wings, you automatically think of A) juicy pieces of chicken dunked in white flour, egg, which is then fried in a bucket load of unhealthy oil; or B) basted in honey, sugar, sugar, and more sugar, topped with some kind of creamy mayo sauce. But there's actually an option C: enter this incredibly healthy, yet delicious chicken wing recipe that's actually marinated in papaya.

On top of getting a good hit of protein from the chicken, a single serve of papaya provides double your daily dose of Vitamin C, it's packed with Vitamin A and C, lutein and beta-carotene for a happy and healthy gut, but best of all? It has powerful skin-glowing antioxidants, so it's goodbye to wrinkles and hello to a younger you (inside and out).

Image: iStockSource:BodyAndSoul

Sticky papaya chicken wings

Prep time: 5 minutes + 30 minutes marinating

Cook time: 8 minutes

Serves 8

Ingredients

2kg chicken wings

2 tsp olive oil

1 cup pureed fresh papaya (250g)

¼ cup packed brown sugar

½ cup fresh orange juice (125ml)

2 tsp fresh lime juice

1 tsp fresh grated ginger

1tsp chilli powder or smoked paprika

1 tsp sea salt

To garnish

Fresh coriander leaves

Fresh papaya lemon and lime wedges

Method

1. Cut chicken wings into wingettes and drumettes, discard tips (or buy wings which have already been split into sections). Combine all marinade ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Add wing sections and toss to coat.

2. Set wings aside for 30 minutes to marinate. Reheat oven to 200oC. Line two rimmed oven trays with baking paper. Remove wings from bowl, reserving marinade, and arrange in a single layer – skin side up – over the prepared trays.

3. Bake 25-30 minutes, basting with the remaining marinade twice during cooking. The wings are done when they are sticky and golden, and the meat separates easily when pulled.